Drug Coupons 3/12/12

Almost 19 million people who regularly take medication used adrug coupon last year, according to a Consumer Reports survey.

But Consumer Reports says just because a brand-name drug is available with a coupondoesn't mean it's your least expensive option. Generics may be available that areequally effective and cost far less. And insurance co-pays for generics are often muchlower—sometimes one-tenth the cost.

Then there’s Lipitor, whose money-saving offer is being heavily advertised. For peoplealready taking Lipitor, Consumer Reports says its $4 co-pay card can be a real money-saver, at least for now. There is a generic for Lipitor, but at this point it’s just about asexpensive. So if you qualify for the $4 Lipitor program, it’s a good deal. But as withmany drug coupons, you don't qualify if you’re on Medicaid, Medicare, or other federalor state health care programs.

For people without insurance, it is possible to use many drug coupons. But you’re stillgoing to pay a lot of money out of pocket.

Consumer Reports says that the best way to save on prescriptions is to see whetheryour doctor can prescribe a less expensive medicine. And look for discounts on manygeneric prescription drugs at Target, Walmart, Walgreen’s, CVS, RiteAid, and other bigretailers and supermarkets.

(Copyright 2011 by WKBT News8000.com)

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